Multiple display system

Abstract

A multiple display system is adapted to display data in the VIDEOTEX standard on a display formed of a plurality of display devices. The system comprises an encoder for generating a code on the basis of internal or external data supplied thereto, a plurality of decoders, each of which includes a central processing unit, successively arranged in series with respect to the encoder, and a plurality of display devices provided respectively corresponding to the plurality of decoders to thereby display a large image by the plurality of display devices. The encoder inserts an identification number in a predetermined portion of a data sequence. The plurality of decoders respectively select data with corresponding identification number, convert the selected data into a video signal, and supply respective display devices with the video signal.

We claim as our invention: 
     
       1. A multiple display system for displaying data derived internally or externally on a display formed of a plurality of display devices as a single picture screen, said multiple display system comprising: encoder means responsive to said data for generating a coded data signal;   a plurality of decoding means connected to said encoder means and arranged in a series from a first decoding means to a last decoding means; and   a plurality of display devices respectively corresponding to said decoding means and arranged in an array forming a single picture screen, said display devices being connected respectively to corresponding ones of said plurality of decoding means for displaying respective video signals fed thereto;   wherein:   said encoder means comprises means for inserting an identification number in a predetermined portion of said coded data signal and for transmitting said coded data signal to the first decoding means in said series;   each decoding means except the last in said series comprises means for transmitting said coded a data signal to the next decoding means in said series;   each of said decoding means comprises means for adopting the identification number transmitted to it in said coded data signal as its own;   each decoding means except the last in said series comprises means for deriving a new identification number from the identification number transmitted to it and for substituting said new identification number into said coded data signal for transmission to the next decoding means in said series; and   said plurality of decoding means respectively comprise means for extracting data with corresponding identification numbers from said data sequence supplied thereto, for converting the extracted data into decoded video signals, and for supplying said display devices with said decoded video signals.   
     
     
       2. A multiple display system according to claim 1, in which said encoder means supplies said plurality of decoding means with a synchronizing control signal, whereby said plurality of decoding means are synchronized with one another to display a plurality of images in synchronism. 
     
     
       3. A multiple display system according to claim 2, in which each of said plurality of decoding means is normally capable of outputting of data and includes means for detecting a data overflow condition therein and generating a transmission stop signal fed to a next preceding decoding means for preventing said outputting of data. 
     
     
       4. A multiple display system according to claim 2, in which said coded data signal identified said display data by coordinates information and said encoder means further includes means for converting coordinates information of said display data into predetermined enlarged coordinates information for each of said plurality of decoding means, encodes said enlarged coordinates information, and supplies said encoded enlarged coordinates information to said plurality of decoding means, respectively, to thereby effect an enlarged display by the use of said respective display devices corresponding to said decoding means. 
     
     
       5. A multiple display system according to claim 4, in which said encoder means calculates certain position coordinates defining a given position and on the basis of said position coordinates calculates enlarged coordinates for each of said plurality of decoder means, said enlarged coordinates defining, for each of said plurality of decoder means, a position which is displaced from said given position in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount on screens of said plurality of said display devices respectively corresponding to said plurality of decoding means.